Manufacturing system with interchangeable tooling heads and tooling nests

ABSTRACT

A manufacturing center configured for use with a plurality of tools and a plurality of nests. The manufacturing center includes a base configured for coupling with one of the plurality of nests. The base includes a base electrical connector. The manufacturing center also includes an arm configured for coupling with one of the plurality of tools. The arm has an end movable with respect to the base, and the end includes an arm electrical connector. A controller is operable to control movement of the arm and is in communication with the base electrical connector and the arm electrical connector. The controller is operable to identify which one of the plurality of tools is coupled with the arm and which one of the plurality of nests is coupled with the base at least in part by way of communication with the arm electrical connector and the base electrical connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/630,268,filed Sep. 28, 2012 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,207,657 on Dec. 8,2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to a computer controlled manufacturingsystem and, more particularly, to a computer controlled manufacturingsystem with interchangeable tooling heads and tooling nests.

BACKGROUND

Computer controlled manufacturing and machining centers are known forconducting a variety of operations on various articles of manufacture.Such manufacturing and machining centers generally include a system ofdrives, controls, and motors operable to move a tool head along or aboutone or more axes of operation. Examples of manufacturing operations thatcan be accomplished by such manufacturing and machining centers includedrilling, milling, routering, glue application, screw driving, heatstaking, and the like. Each of these operations generally involves theuse of a dedicated tool head that includes the necessary drives, motors,air valves, and the like for performing the desired operation. Eachoperation typically requires the use of a different, specialized toolhead. Each operation also generally involves the use of a productfixture or nest that holds the article of manufacture in a particularway such that the tool head can access the product as needed to conductthe corresponding operation.

Computer controlled manufacturing and machining centers must bespecifically programmed for each operation. For example, movement andoperation of the tool head must be programmed based on, among otherthings, the configuration of the product, the operation being performed,and the tool head and nest that are being used. Complicatedmanufacturing operations having numerous steps frequently involve theuse of a production line having multiple manufacturing and machiningcenters, with each center specifically programmed to perform a specificstep in the manufacturing process, such as drilling, milling, glueapplying, heat staking, and the like. If the production line is to bemodified to manufacture a different product, the heads, nests, andprogramming of each machine must be changed, resulting in costly downtime.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, a computer controlled manufacturing center includes abase including at least one base mount and a base electrical connector,an arm moveable with respect to the base and including at least one armmount and an arm electrical connector, and a drive assembly operable tomove the arm with respect to the base. First and second nests areinterchangeably coupleable to the base. The first and second nests areconfigured differently from one another for use during differentmanufacturing operations. Each nest includes at least one nest mountengageable with the base mount to locate the respective nest relative tothe base. The first nest including a first nest electrical connectorelectrically engageable with the base electrical connector and having afirst nest electrical configuration. The second nest includes a secondnest electrical connector electrically engageable with the baseelectrical connector and having a second nest electrical configurationdifferent from the first nest electrical configuration. First and secondtool heads are interchangeably coupleable to the arm. Each tool head isconfigured to perform a different manufacturing operation and includesat least one tool mount engageable with the arm mount to couple therespective tool head to the arm for movement therewith. The first toolhead includes a first tool electrical connector electrically engageablewith the arm electrical connector and having a first tool electricalconfiguration. The second tool head includes a second tool electricalconnector electrically engageable with the arm electrical connector andhaving a second tool electrical configuration different from the firsttool electrical configuration. A controller is in communication with thedrive assembly, the base electrical connector, and the arm electricalconnector. The controller is operable to: a) determine whether the firstnest or the second nest is coupled to the base by determining whetherthe first nest electrical connector or the second nest electricalconnector is electrically engaged with the base electrical connector; b)determine whether the first tool head or the second tool head is coupledto the arm by determining whether the first tool electrical connector orthe second tool electrical connector is electrically engaged with thearm electrical connector; and c) based on the determinations of a) andb), select at least one control program for moving the arm and operatingthe tool head from a plurality of control programs.

In other aspects, a manufacturing robot includes a base including a baseelectrical connector, and an arm having an end movable with respect tothe base and including an arm electrical connector. First and secondnests are interchangeably coupleable to the base. The first nestincludes a first nest electrical connector engageable with the baseelectrical connector and having a first nest electrical configuration.The second nest including a second nest electrical connector engageablewith the base electrical connector and having a second nest electricalconfiguration. First and second tools are interchangeably coupleable tothe end. The first tool includes a first tool electrical connectorengageable with the arm electrical connector and having a first toolelectrical configuration. The second tool includes a second toolelectrical connector engageable with the arm electrical connector andhaving a second tool electrical configuration. A controller is operableto control movement of the arm and is in communication with the baseelectrical connector and the arm electrical connector to determine whichnest is coupled to the base and which arm is coupled to the end.

In still other aspects, a manufacturing center is configured for usewith a plurality of tools and a plurality of nests. The manufacturingcenter includes a base that is configured for coupling with one of theplurality of nests. The base includes a base electrical connector. Themanufacturing center also includes an arm configured for coupling withone of the plurality of tools. The arm has an end movable with respectto the base, and the end includes an arm electrical connector. Themanufacturing center also includes a controller that is operable tocontrol movement of the arm and that is in communication with the baseelectrical connector and the arm electrical connector. The controller isoperable to identify which one of the plurality of tools is coupled withthe arm and which one of the plurality of nests is coupled with the baseat least in part by way of communication with the arm electricalconnector and with the base electrical connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a manufacturing and machining centerconfigured for use with interchangeable tool heads and nests.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a production area of the manufacturingand machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Z-axis assembly with adrilling/milling tool head coupled thereto.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 3 showing thedrilling/milling tool head separated from the Z-axis assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gluing tool head that can be coupledto the Z-axis assembly of FIG. 3 in place of the drilling/milling toolhead.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heat staking tool head that can becoupled to the Z-axis assembly of FIG. 3 in place of thedrilling/milling tool head.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a nest blank coupled to a base plate ofthe manufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 7 showing thenest blank separated from a base plate.

FIG. 9 illustrates a home screen for a human machine interface of themanufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates an input status screen for the human machineinterface of the manufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates an output status screen for the human machineinterface of the manufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alarm help screen for the human machine interfaceof the manufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 illustrates a nest settings screen for the human machineinterface of the manufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 illustrates a mill program screen for the human machineinterface of the manufacturing and machining center of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 illustrates the mill program screen of FIG. 14 with a move axispopup activated.

FIG. 16 illustrates the mill program screen of FIG. 14 with aprogramming toolbox popup activated.

In the following detailed description, various details are set forth byway of examples to provide a thorough understanding of certain conceptsand teachings. While the invention is capable of being practiced andcarried out in a variety of ways, at least one embodiment will bedescribed herein in detail with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is provided to highlight and exemplify certain principles ofthe invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of theinvention only to the embodiment(s) illustrated and described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer controlled manufacturing center 10, whichmay also be referred to generally as a manufacturing robot. Theillustrated center 10 includes a cabinet 14 that supports the variouscomponents of the center 10. The illustrated cabinet 14 includes a firstor upper portion 18 where machining and manufacturing operations takeplace, and a second or lower portion 22 that houses a control system 26that, in the illustrated construction, includes an integrated interface30, discussed below. A base plate 32 is supported by the cabinet 14 andgenerally separates the upper portion 18 from the lower portion 22. Theinterface 30 can be slidably mounted to the lower portion 22 of thecabinet 14, generally as shown, so that the interface 30 can be stowedduring manufacturing operations, for example to avoid inadvertent damageor unwanted control inputs. The cabinet 14 can also be provided withsuitable panels and guards in the form of doors 34, windows 38, and thelike, as generally known in the art for selectively preventing orpermitting access to various components of the center 10. Such moveabledoors 34 and windows 38 may be provided with appropriate safety switchesor “lockouts” so the center 10 will only operate when the doors 34 andwindows 38 are in a closed position.

Referring also to FIG. 2, an exemplary robotic assembly 42 is shownmounted to the base plate 32. The illustrated robotic assembly 42 is a3-axis robotic assembly 42 configured to move an arm 46 along threemutually perpendicular and substantially linear axes. Other embodimentsof the invention may include robotic assemblies 42 having more or fewerdegrees of freedom, ranging from a linear or rotary actuator having asingle degree of freedom up to and including a “six-axis” roboticassembly 42 capable of moving the arm 46 through all six degrees offreedom.

The illustrated robotic assembly 42 includes first and second spacedapart uprights 50 fixedly coupled to the base plate 32. Each upright 50includes a guide assembly in the form of Y guide rails 54 that aresubstantially parallel with one another and with the base plate. The Yguide rails 54 extend in and generally define the “Y-axis” of movementfor the arm 46. A cross bar 58 is coupled to and extends between theuprights 50. More specifically, the cross bar 58 is slidably mounted tothe Y guide rails 54 for substantially linear movement with respect tothe uprights 50 along the Y-axis. To this end, the cross bar 58 includesfirst and second carriage assemblies 62 each having linear bearingassemblies 66 configured for linear movement along a respective one ofthe Y guide rails 54.

The cross bar 58 also is provided with a guide assembly in the form of Xguide rails 70 that are substantially parallel with one another,parallel to the base plate 32, and perpendicular to the Y guide rails 54mounted on the uprights 50. The X guide rails 70 extend in and generallydefine the “X-axis” of movement for the arm 46. A substantiallyvertically oriented Z carriage 74 is coupled to the cross bar 58. Morespecifically, the Z carriage 74 is slidably mounted to the X guide rails70 for substantially linear movement with respect to the cross bar 58along the X-axis. To this end, the Z carriage 74 includes a carriageassembly 78 having linear bearing assemblies 82 configured for linearmovement along respective ones of the X guide rails 70.

Referring also to FIG. 3, which illustrates the Z carriage 74 and thearm 46, the Z carriage 74 also is provided with a guide assembly in theform of Z guide rails 86 that are substantially parallel with oneanother, perpendicular to the base plate 32, and perpendicular to the Yguide rails 54 and to the X guide rails 70. The Z guide rails 86 extendin and generally define the “Z-axis” of movement for the arm 46. The arm46 is slidably mounted to the Z guide rails 86 for substantially linearmovement with respect to the Z carriage 74 along the Z-axis. To thisend, the arm 46 includes a carriage assembly 88 having linear bearingassemblies 90 configured for linear movement along respective ones ofthe Z guide rails 86.

As shown in FIG. 1, the robotic assembly 42 also includes a first driveassembly 94 for moving the cross bar 58 along the Y-axis, a second driveassembly 98 for moving the Z carriage 74 along the X-axis, and a thirddrive assembly 102 for moving the arm 46 along the Z-axis. The firstdrive assembly 94 is mounted to an upper portion of one of the uprights50 and is drivingly coupled to the cross bar 58 for moving the cross baralong the Y guide rails 54. The second drive assembly 98 is mounted toone of the carriage assemblies 62 of the cross bar 58 for movementtherewith. The second drive assembly 98 is drivingly coupled to the Zcarriage 74 for moving the Z carriage 74 along the X guide rails 70. Thethird drive assembly 102 is mounted to an upper end of the Z carriage 74for movement therewith. The third drive assembly 102 is drivinglycoupled to the arm 46 for moving the arm 46 along the Z guide rails 86.The first, second, and third drive assemblies 94, 98, 102 are eachelectrically coupled to the control system 26, which controls operationof the drive assemblies 94, 98, 102. The drive assemblies 94, 98, 102are also each provided with or coupled to sensors that communicate withthe control system 26 to provide information regarding the relativepositions of the cross bar 58, the Z carriage 74, and the arm 46 to thecontrol system 26. In this way, the control system 26 is provided with“closed loop” control over the relative positions of the cross bar 58,the Z carriage 74, and the arm 46.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the above described roboticassembly 42 is only one example of a robotic assembly that may be usedin combination with the teachings of the present invention, and thatother robotic assemblies having different configurations of arms, guideassemblies, drive assemblies, and the like may also be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, the arm 46 includes an arm mount in the formof a mounting plate 106 to which any one of a plurality ofinterchangeable tool heads may be coupled. In the configuration shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a tool head in the form of a drilling/milling tool head110 a is shown coupled to the mounting plate 106. A gluing tool head 110b is shown in FIG. 5, and a heat staking tool head 110 c is shown inFIG. 6, both of which may also be coupled to the mounting plate 106. Themounting plate 106 is provided with alignment features in the form oflocating pins 114 and a plurality of mounting holes 118, which in theillustrated embodiment are threaded. The tool head 110 a (as well as thetool heads 110 b and 110 c) includes a tool mount in the form of amounting base 122 having blind locating bores (not shown) positioned toreceive the locating pins 114 and countersunk through bores 130positioned for alignment with the mounting holes 118 in the mountingplate 106 such that fasteners 134 can be extended through the bores 130and into the mounting holes 118 to couple the mounting base 122 and thetool head 110 a to the mounting plate 106. The tool heads 110 b, 110 care configured with a similar mounting base 122 and can thus be coupledto the mounting plate 106 in a similar manner. When the tool head 110 a,110 b, 110 c is coupled to the mounting plate 106, the tool head 110 a,110 b, 110 c is moveable with the arm 46 to perform manufacturing andmachining operations.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the arm 46 also includes an arm electricalconnector 138 that, in the illustrated configuration, is mounted in arecess provided in the mounting plate 106. The arm electrical connector138 is electrically coupled to the control system 26 for electroniccommunication therewith. In the illustrated construction the armelectrical connector 138 is a 25 pin female connector. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that a wide variety of other electricalconnectors would also be suitable and fall within the spirit and scopeof the present invention. The arm electrical connector 138 is configuredfor electrical coupling with a tool electrical connector 142 that, inthe illustrated configuration, is mounted in a recess provided in themounting base 122. Although other configurations are possible, in theillustrated configuration, as the mounting base 122 is coupled to themounting plate 106 using the fasteners 134, the tool electricalconnector 142 is aligned for electrical engagement with the armelectrical connector 138 such that when the fasteners 134 are tightenedthe tool electrical connector 142 and the arm electrical connector 138are drawn into complete electrical engagement with one another. As shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, the tool heads 110 b and 110 c are also provided withtool electrical connectors 142 that, except as noted below, are locatedand configured similarly to the tool electrical connector 142 of thetool head 110 a for electrical coupling with the arm electricalconnector 138. In this way, the tool heads 110 a, 110 b, 110 c are allcoupled to the arm 46 in substantially the same way to reduce assemblyor setup errors when changing between the tool heads 110 a, 110 b, 110c.

Referring also to FIGS. 7 and 8, the base plate 32 is configured toremovably support a nest 146 that holds or otherwise supports a productof manufacture. The illustrated nest 146 is depicted as a flat plate,however it should be appreciated that the nest 146 can be provided withany combination of supporting and fixture features such as openings,cavities, clamps, ribs, grooves, and the like, as appropriate forsupporting the particular product of manufacture that is to be workedupon. Accordingly, the illustrated nest 146 is one example of aplurality of interchangeable nests that, like the tool heads 110 a, 110b, 110 c, are configured differently from one another for supportingdifferent products of manufacture, but are interchangeably coupleable tothe base plate 32 in substantially the same manner.

The base plate 32 includes a base mount configuration that, in theillustrated embodiment, includes a combination of pins 150 and threadedbores 154, and each nest 146, including the illustrated nest 146,includes a nest mount configuration adapted for coupling with the basemount configuration. In the illustrated configuration, the nest mountconfiguration appropriately includes a first set of bores 158 forreceiving the pins 150 and a second set of bores 162 for receivingfasteners 166 that can be extended through the nest 146 and threadedinto the threaded bores 154 of the base plate 32.

The base plate 32 also includes a base electrical connector 170electrically coupled to the control system 26 for electroniccommunication therewith. In the illustrated construction the baseelectrical connector 170 is a 25 pin female connector, like the armelectrical connector 138. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thata wide variety of other electrical connectors would also be suitable andfall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The baseelectrical connector 170 is configured for electrical coupling with anest electrical connector 174 that, in the illustrated configuration, ismounted in a recess provided in the nest 146. Although otherconfigurations are possible, in the illustrated configuration, as thenest 146 is coupled to the base plate 32 using the fasteners 166, thenest electrical connector 174 is aligned for electrical engagement withthe base electrical connector 170 such that when the fasteners 166 aretightened the nest electrical connector 174 and the base electricalconnector 170 are drawn into complete electrical engagement with oneanother. Each interchangeable nest 146 is also provided with nestelectrical connectors 174 that, except as noted below, are located andconfigured similarly to the nest electrical connector 174 of theillustrated nest 146 for electrical coupling with the base electricalconnector 170. In this way, the nests 146 are all coupled to the baseplate 32 in substantially the same way to reduce assembly or setuperrors when changing between the nests.

Each tool electrical connector 142 and each nest electrical connector174 includes an identification portion having a unique electricalconfiguration that allows the control system 26 to determinespecifically which one of the plurality of tools 110 a, 110 b, 110 c,and which one of the plurality of nests 146 are coupled respectively tothe arm 42 and to the base plate 32. In one exemplary embodiment,certain pins of each tool electrical connector 142 and each nestelectrical connectors 174 are electrically coupled or “jumpered” to oneanother in a unique way such that each nest electrical connector 174 andeach tool electrical connector 142 has a unique jumper configuration. Byelectrically coupling different combinations of pins in each toolelectrical connector 142 and each nest electrical connector 174, thetool electrical connectors 142 and nest electrical connectors 174 caneach be provided with a unique electrical configuration that can bedetected by the control system 26. In other embodiments, certain pins orcombination of pins may be provided with a certain resistance that canalso be detected by the control system 26. These and other techniquesfor providing a unique electrical configuration all fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition to having a unique electrical configuration, each toolelectrical connector 142 and each nest electrical connector 174 may alsoinclude a control portion that communicates control signals between thecontrol system 26 and the tool 110 or nest 146 for controlling operationof different features of the tool 110 or nest 146. Examples of controlsignals that might be carried by the tool electrical connector 142and/or the nest electrical connector 174 include signals for turning amotor or solenoid on or off, and signals from sensors provided on thetool or nest, among others. In the illustrated embodiments the controlportion of the tool electrical connector 142 and the nest electricalconnector 174 can include, for example, a dedicated set of pins forcarrying the control signals.

The control system 26 is generally comprised of a combination ofcomputer hardware and software, and generally includes at least aprocessor, memory, and an input/output interface. As discussed below,the control system 26 can be provided with a plurality of controlprograms for controlling movement of the robotic assembly 42 and, whenappropriate, operation of the tool 110 and the nest 146. In this regard,control programs will generally include a code portion for controllingoperation of the drive assemblies 94, 98, 110, and may optionallyinclude code portions for controlling operation of the tool 110 and thenest 146. Whether and to what extent the program includes a code portionfor controlling operation of the tool 110 and the nest 146 willgenerally depend upon whether tool 110 or the nest 146 includes featuresthat can be controlled. For example, a control program associated withthe drilling/milling tool 110 a will generally include a code sectionfor adjusting the rotational speed of the milling head.

In some embodiments, the plurality of control programs can be stored asan array of control programs having, for example, a first set of controlprograms associated with a first nest and including a first controlprogram for controlling operation when the first nest is used incombination with the drilling/milling tool 110 a, and a second controlprogram for controlling operation when the first nest is used incombination with the gluing tool 110 b. A second set of control programsin the array of control programs may then include individual controlprograms associated with a second nest and for controlling operationwhen the second nest is used in combination with, for example, thedrilling/milling tool 110 a and the gluing tool 110 b.

By communicating with the arm electrical connector 138 and the baseelectrical connector 170, the control system 26 is able to determinewhich tool is coupled to the arm 46 and which nest 146 is coupled to thebase plate 32. More specifically, because each tool electrical connector142 and each nest electrical connector 174 has a unique electricalconfiguration, the control system 26 is able to uniquely identify theinstalled tool 110 and the installed nest 146. Once the control system26 has determined which tool and which nest 146 are in use, the controlsystem 26 can select the appropriate control program from the array ofcontrol programs for operating the drive assemblies 94, 98, 102 and, ifnecessary, the tool 110 and the nest 146, for the specific tool 110 andnest 146 that are installed.

Referring now also to FIGS. 9-16, the interface 30 can be in the form ofa computerized touch screen device having a plurality of interfacescreens 178. By way of example, control system 26 can be programmed todisplay the following interface screens 178 on the interface 30: a homescreen 178 a (FIG. 9); an input status screen 178 b (FIG. 10); an outputstatus screen 178 c (FIG. 11); an alarm help screen 178 d (FIG. 12); anest settings screen 178 e (FIG. 13); and a mill program screen 178 f(FIGS. 14-16). Collectively, the interface screens 178 allow a user tooperate, program, monitor, and troubleshoot the manufacturing center 10.Each interface screen 178 is described in further detail below.

As shown in FIG. 9, the home screen 178 a is used to navigate throughthe other interface screens 178 and also to display the current statusof the manufacturing center 10. The home screen 178 a includes aplurality of information boxes, including current position boxes 182that identify the current position of the tool, a current program box186 that identifies the current program and program line being executed,a current nest box 190 that identifies the nest 146 that is currentlyinstalled in the base plate 32, a current mill count box 194 thatidentifies the number of completed cycles the center 10 has completedusing the current program, cycle time boxes 198 that identify thecurrent and previous cycle times, and an instruction box 202 thatindicates the instruction currently being executed, if any. The homescreen 178 a also includes a plurality of operator buttons fornavigating to other interface screens 178 and for performing specificfunctions, including an input screen button 206 for navigating to theinput status screen 178 b, an output screen button 210 for navigating tothe output status screen 178 c, and alarm screen button 214 fornavigating to an alarm status screen (not shown), a misc. settingsbutton 218 for navigating to the nest settings screen 178 e, a helpbutton 222 for navigating to the alarm help screen 178 d, and a forceend mill change button 226 that automatically configures the roboticassembly 42 for changing or replacing the tool 110 or a portion of thetool 110. A mill program button 228 appears between the misc. settingsbutton 218 and the help button 222 when a supervisor key is insertedinto the center 10 and allows access to the mill program screensdiscussed further below. By hiding the mill program button 228 wheneverthe supervisor key is not inserted into the machine, unauthorized usersare prevented from accessing the mill program screens and modifying thevarious control programs that are stored in the control system 26.

As shown in FIG. 10, the input status screen 178 b displays the valuesof a plurality of inputs to the control system 26. The input statusscreen 178 b can be used, for example, to troubleshoot problems or toassist in programming the machining center 10. In the illustratedembodiment the inputs have values of either true or false and may behighlighted in green for a value of true and red for a value of false.In other embodiments, the inputs may have other values, including valuesexpressed as a range, and the like. The input status screen 178 bincludes a main screen button 230 for navigating to the home screen 178a, and a view outputs button 234 for navigating to the output statusscreen 178 c. Among the inputs shown in the input status screen 178 b isa set of five nest ID inputs 238. The nest ID inputs 238 are receivedfrom the nest electrical connector 174 and the status of the nest IDinputs 238 changes when a new nest 146 is installed in the base plate32. Accordingly, the combination of nest ID inputs 238 allows thecontrol system 26 to identify which nest 146 is installed in the baseplate 32.

As shown in FIG. 11, the output status screen 178 c displays the valuesof a plurality of outputs from the control system 26. The output statusscreen 178 c can be used, for example, to troubleshoot problems or toassist in programming the machining center 10. In the illustratedembodiment the outputs have values of either true or false, and may behighlighted in green for a value of true and red for a value of false.In other embodiments, the outputs may have other values, includingvalues expressed as a range, and the like. The output status screen 178c includes a main screen button 230 for navigating to the home screen178 a, and a view inputs button 240 for navigating to the input statusscreen 178 b.

As shown in FIG. 12, the alarm help screen 178 d displays variousbuilt-in alarm types that might be displayed on an alarm status screen(not shown) accessible via the alarm screen button 214, and anexplanation of what causes the alarm and/or what the alarm means. Thealarm help screen 178 d also includes an input/output status column 242that displays the current status of relevant inputs and outputs for aparticular alarm. The alarm help screen 178 d can be used, for example,to troubleshoot problems and resolve alarms that might be preventingoperation of the machining center 10. The illustrated alarm help screen178 d is one of a plurality of alarm help screens 178 d because thenumber of possible alarms exceeds the amount of information that canreasonably be displayed on an alarm help single screen 178 d. In thisregard the alarm help screen 178 d is provided with a next button 246for navigating to the next alarm help screen 178 d and a previous button250 for navigating to the previous alarm help screen 178 d. The alarmhelp screen 178 d also includes a main screen button 230 for navigatingto the home screen 178 a, and a maintenance button 254 for navigating toa maintenance screen (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 13, the nest settings screen 178 e includes a pluralityof parameter boxes that can be used to set operating parameters forwhichever nest 146 is currently installed on the base plate 32. An endmill change frequency parameter 258 can be used to establish a cyclecount threshold after which the machine will provide an indication tothe operator that the end mill (if any) of the tool 110 needs to bereplaced. A mill run down time parameter 262 can be used to establishthe time allotted for a rotating tool head to stop spinning, for examplebefore moving the arm 46 or unlocking one of the doors 34 or windows 38to permit operator access. A Z-axis cutter change position parameter 266can be used to set the position along the Z-axis that is assumed by thearm 46 during an end mill replacement. A spindle speed parameter 270 canbe used to adjust the spindle speed of the tool 110. A set of slow jogspeed parameters 274 (one for each axis) can be used to adjust a slowjog speed for movement of the arm 46 during repositioning of the arm 46between manufacturing operations, and a set of high jog speed parameters278 (one for each axis) can be used to adjust a high jog speed formovement of the arm 46 during repositioning of the arm 46 betweenmanufacturing operations. To adjust each of the foregoing parameters, auser touches inside the appropriate parameter box and a numeric key pad(not shown) appears on the screen. The user enters the desired parametervalue and then presses an enter or OK button on the key pad. The key paddisappears and the desired parameter value is set and displayed withinthe parameter box. The nest settings screen 178 e also includes a moveaxis popup button 282 that brings up a move axis popup (discussed belowwith respect to the mill program screen 1780 that allows a user tomanually move the arm 46 along each of the three axis to assist insetting up or programming the machining center 10.

As shown in FIG. 14, the mill program screen 178 f is provided to allowa user to prepare a multi-step program for moving the arm 46 andoperating the tool 110. The mill program screen 178 f is accessed bypressing the mill program button 228, which requires a supervisor key tobe inserted into the manufacturing center 10, and allows a user tocreate a milling program line by line. The controller 26 is alsoconfigured to accept a milling program in the form of a text file thatmay be written in G code or another suitable programming language. Theillustrated mill program screen 178 f accommodates fourteen programminglines 288. Additional mill program screens 178 f for providingadditional programming lines 288 can be accessed by pushing the nextbutton 286. The mill program screen 178f includes a line column 290 thatdisplays the line number of the chosen program line. During operation,each programming line 288 is executed in numerical order.

The mill program screen 178 f also includes a motion type column 294.Some embodiments include three different motion settings that change theway the drive assemblies 94, 98, 110 coordinate their respectivemovements. The motion settings can be changed by touching inside theappropriate box within the motion type column 294, which brings up a keypad that allows the user to input a motion value (0, 1, or 2) thatcorresponds to one of the three motion settings. The mill program screen178 f also includes three axis position columns 298, one for each axis.Values entered into the axis position columns 298 define the finishingposition of the arm 46 after the corresponding program line 288 has beenexecuted. A user can change the values in the axis position columns 298by touching inside the appropriate box to bring up the key pad thatallows the desired numeric value to be entered.

Referring also to FIG. 15, another way to modify the program is to pressthe move axis popup button 282 (FIGS. 13 and 14) to bring up the moveaxis popup menu 302. The move axis popup menu allows the operator tomanually move the arm 46 about all three axes. For example, with theproduct of manufacture secured to the nest 146, the user can use themove axis popup menu 302 to move the arm 46 until the arm is located ina desired position for a particular program line 288. In this regard,the move axis popup menu 302 includes slow jog buttons 306 and fast jogbuttons 310 for moving the arm 46 along the X, Y, and Z axes in bothpositive and negative directions. Once the user has moved the arm 46 tothe desired finishing location of a particular programming line 288, theuser can press the move axis popup button 282 to make the move axispopup menu 302 disappear and then press the teach button 314 (FIG. 14)for that particular programming line 288. Pressing the teach button 314for a programming line 288 inserts the appropriate X, Y, and Z axiscoordinates into the programming line 288 based on the current locationof the arm 46. Overall, programming can be accomplished using acombination of the move axis popup menu 302 and by individually enteringX, Y, and Z axis values into the programming line 288, as discussedabove.

Pressing a toolbox button 318 on the mill program screen 178 f brings upa toolbox popup 322 that can further assist a user in editing a program.As shown in FIG. 16, the toolbox popup includes a spindle button 326 forturning the tool spindle on and off, a line number entry button 330 thatallows a user to enter a line number and then jump to that line numberin the program, and line insertion 334 and line deletion 338 buttonsthat allow the user to insert or delete lines of programming.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer controlled manufacturing centercomprising: a base including at least one base mount and a baseelectrical connector; an arm moveable with respect to the base, the armincluding at least one arm mount and an arm electrical connector; firstand second nests interchangeably coupleable to the base, the first andsecond nests configured differently from one another, each nestincluding at least one nest mount engageable with the base mount, thefirst nest including a first nest electrical connector electricallyengageable with the base electrical connector, and the second nestincluding a second nest electrical connector electrically engageablewith the base electrical connector; first and second tool headsinterchangeably coupleable to the arm and including at least one toolmount engageable with the arm mount to couple the respective tool headto the arm for movement therewith, the first tool head including a firsttool electrical connector electrically engageable with the armelectrical connector, and the second tool head including a second toolelectrical connector electrically engageable with the arm electricalconnector; and a controller in communication with the base electricalconnector and the arm electrical connector, the controller operable to:a) determine whether the first nest or the second nest is coupled to thebase by determining whether the first nest electrical connector or thesecond nest electrical connector is electrically engaged with the baseelectrical connector, b) determine whether the first tool head or thesecond tool head is coupled to the arm by determining whether the firsttool electrical connector or the second tool electrical connector iselectrically engaged with the arm electrical connector, and c) based onthe determinations of a) and b), select at least one control program formoving the arm and operating the first tool head or the second tool headfrom a plurality of control programs.
 2. The manufacturing center ofclaim 1, wherein the arm is movable along three mutually perpendicularaxes.
 3. The manufacturing center of claim 1, wherein each of the nestelectrical connectors and the tool electrical connectors includes acontrol portion for receiving control signals from the controller. 4.The manufacturing center of claim 1, wherein each of the nest electricalconnectors and the tool electrical connectors includes an identificationportion for providing identification signals to the controller thatidentify the specific nest or tool with which the nest electricalconnector or tool electrical connector is associated.
 5. Themanufacturing center of claim 1, wherein the plurality of controlprograms includes an array of control programs comprising: a first setof control programs associated with the first nest and including a firstnest first tool control program for the first nest in combination withthe first tool head and a first nest second tool control program for thefirst nest in combination with the second tool head; and a second set ofcontrol programs associated with the second nest and including a secondnest first tool control program for the second nest in combination withthe first tool head and a second nest second tool control program forthe second nest in combination with the second tool head.
 6. Themanufacturing center of claim 1, wherein the at least one controlprogram includes instructions for operating at least one of the firstnest and the second nest.
 7. The manufacturing center of claim 1,further comprising an integrated programming interface for operating themanufacturing center and for programming the plurality of controlprograms.
 8. A manufacturing robot comprising: a base including a baseelectrical connector; an arm having an end movable with respect to thebase, the end including an arm electrical connector; first and secondnests interchangeably coupleable to the base, the first nest including afirst nest electrical connector engageable with the base electricalconnector and the second nest including a second nest electricalconnector engageable with the base electrical connector; first andsecond tools interchangeably coupleable to the end, the first toolincluding a first tool electrical connector engageable with the armelectrical connector and the second tool including a second toolelectrical connector engageable with the arm electrical connector; and acontroller operable to control movement of the arm and in communicationwith the base electrical connector and the arm electrical connector todetermine which nest is coupled to the base and which tool is coupled tothe end.
 9. The robot of claim 8, wherein the controller is furtheroperable to select at least one control program for moving the arm andoperating whichever tool is attached to the arm from a plurality ofcontrol programs based at least in part upon which nest is coupled tothe base and which tool is coupled to the end.
 10. The robot of claim 9,wherein the controller is operable to control operation of the firstnest and the second nest, and wherein the at least one control programincludes instructions for operating at least one of the first nest andthe second nest.
 11. The robot of claim 8, wherein the first nestelectrical connector includes a first nest electrical configuration andwherein the second nest electrical connector includes a second nestelectrical configuration different from the first nest electricalconfiguration.
 12. The robot of claim 8, wherein the first toolelectrical connector includes a first tool electrical configuration andwherein the second tool electrical connector includes a second toolelectrical configuration different from the first tool electricalconfiguration.
 13. The robot of claim 8, wherein each of the nestelectrical connectors and the tool electrical connectors includes acontrol portion for receiving control signals from the controller. 14.The robot of claim 13, wherein each of the nest electrical connectorsand the tool electrical connectors includes an identification portionfor providing identification signals to the controller that identify thespecific nest or tool with which the nest electrical connector or toolelectrical connector is associated.
 15. The robot of claim 8, furthercomprising an integrated programming interface for operating themanufacturing center and for programming the plurality of controlprograms.
 16. A manufacturing center configured for use with a pluralityof tools and a plurality of nests, the manufacturing center comprising:a first portion configured for coupling with one of the plurality ofnests, the first portion including a first portion electrical connector;a second portion configured for coupling with one of the plurality oftools, the second portion being movable with respect to the firstportion and including a second portion electrical connector; and acontroller operable to control relative movement between the firstportion and the second portion, the controller in communication with thefirst portion electrical connector and the second portion electricalconnector, the controller operable to identify which one of theplurality of tools is coupled with the second portion and which one ofthe plurality of nests is coupled with the first portion at least inpart by way of communication with the second portion electricalconnector and with the first portion electrical connector.
 17. Themanufacturing center of claim 16, wherein the controller is furtheroperable to select at least one control program for moving the first andsecond portions relative to one another from a plurality of controlprograms based at least in part upon which nest is coupled to the firstportion and which tool is coupled to the second portion.
 18. Themanufacturing center of claim 16, wherein the first portion electricalconnector is configured for electrical connection with a nest electricalconnector located on each of the plurality of nests.
 19. Themanufacturing center of claim 16, wherein the second portion electricalconnector is configured for electrical connection with a tool electricalconnector located on each of the plurality of tools.
 20. Themanufacturing center of claim 16, further comprising an integratedprogramming interface for operating the manufacturing center and forprogramming the plurality of control programs.